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It's Fun to Play the Piano ... Please Pass It On!

The locals will tell you that the trip from Truro to Orleans is Up Cape. It all has to do with winds and Down East. If you are interested in local nonsense ask me about this at the party and I will try to explain.

Hi Ed. Tell Roberta that I'll be bringing a cheese cake platter again. I was so sad to hear that Ed Papier won't be making it. We had several piano 4-hand pieces up our sleeves. Anyway, I'm really looking forward to it and see you all again.

PS: The Nausett Inn was full, so I'm staying at the Parsonage Inn in E. Orleans and by sheer coincidence, they have a grand piano. Is that karma or what?

Wow, what a great party weekend its been. Sue and I have never had so much fun. A pre-party Fri nite where they had a vintage Henry Miller baby grand made in Boston. Then three venues yesterday, each with their own fine M&H. Off any minute to today's brunch at the 4th location. Been doing a little recording and picture taking so there will be more to follow...

Back from another magical Cape Cod Piano Party. Wow, wow, wow! It was another amazing orgy of piano music, piano friends, food, and Cape Cod in its autumn glory - talk about sensory overload. I didn't do a whole lot of picture taking this time, but others were there whom I know will fill you in. But, here's a little prequel.

Here's the classic PW group piano shot. This is really only a partial photo of the comers as people were coming and going throughout the 24 hour period. This was taken at John and Helga's with their magnificent, smooth and shimmery, restored 6 ft something MH. Their house is the best for these group pics b/c of the expansive room the piano is in.

This is what happens when you try to take a picture (or listen to) Terrytunes when she's playing. But, make no mistake, she is hiding (or trying to hide) her talents under the proverbial bushel basket. What's up with that, Terry!

So, I've skipped a whole day of partying. Except for the first photo, I just totally relied on others to document the events of Saturday. I was just too busy enjoying myself. So, here we're at Kathy and Tom's house for Sunday brunch with mimosas, bloody Mary's, oh yeah, and coffee, and an amazing spread of food. It was just the perfect scene for the afterglow of the previous day.

This is rather blurry, but it's just a neat shot of Terry with her PW T-shirt chatting up Mr. PWorld himself.

Here are two of our wonderful Saturday hostesses, Roberta and Marilyn.

This is our new PianoWorld star extraordinaire - Sue. She is married to PW member, hv, and is a professional pianist of the ragtime and blues variety. I'm sure many of you have seen videos that Howard has linked to here at PianoWorld. Let me tell you, you've got to see her in person. This woman knows how to entertain.

And Lilylady mesmerizing with her Schumann, Rach and Scriabin.

Anyway, as I said, this is a very incomplete snap of the days' events, but will give you a little taste of what's yet to come. Thank you to all of our wonderful hosts and hostesses for a truly special and memorable event.

Elaine and I want to thank you all for the great friendship and wonderful music. We have told people all day yesterday about your group, your hospitality and your great piano music. If you missed it don't miss the next one. If you think this was fun why not join us on our "Piano Cruise" on March 14th (see separate thread for details). There is still space and we will have a piano to ourselves in the beautiful observation lounge on the 14th deck on both sea days. We are pleased to be associated with you.

On Sunday at the brunch at Tom and Kathy Howes, many of the above played and also Mimi Ace, plus we had a surprise guest, Jacqueline Schwab, the pianist for the Ken Burns PBS documentaries.

We had it all, from superb classical to jazz to standards, unbelievable ragtime and singing by Sue Keller, and English folk tunes, Appalachian hymns and so much more by the very talented Jacqueline Schwab.

The pianos were given the workout of their lives.

Our hosts and hostesses outdid themselves with oh such delicious cuisine!! And the guests brought very unusual and tasty and beautiful platters of food. I wanted recipes for everything.

What a weekend! Wonderful homes and displays of great Mason Hamlins on Sat - Older AA, BB and new A. Beautiful new August Forster on Sunday and even an old Henry Miller at our rental home for the Pre-party gathering! The best hosts and hostesses you could possibly meet. Old piano friends and new. Great pianists. Unbelievable food.

Party started with the ride down with Terrytunes and Mr. TT.A few stops on the way to get us in the Cape Cod mood.

Our rental home was an artist in residence funky place.

The PIANO MAN greeted us (take a look at those long piano fingers!)

Our own PW Piano Man was soon found at the keyboard with a hopeful tip glass on the piano.

Soon followed by PW member hv's wife Sue. Sue turned out to be quite the entertainer all weekend with her 1001 stories and ragtime 'plus' playing.

While friends enjoyed the festive atmosphere

(Roberta, Ed, PW Frank and Kathy)

(Terrytunes and Steve)

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"Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and life to everything."

The Saturday Festivities involved neighborhood friends who all own some beautiful MH pianos.

We started with hors d'heuvres and hot asperagus soup at Marilyn and Keith's and enjoyed playing/listening to a beautiful old AA. Since I own a newer AA, it was especially fun to play theirs. MH has been doing it 'right' for a LONG TIME!

(the beautiful Marilyn)

Host Keith on the right talking with PW travel agent Bill and his wife Elaine.

(included here are TT, Jerry and Linda Gloo, son Eric)

Players PW member Tj and his son. Tj shared one of his own compositions.

Soon to be PW member Karen

PW KathyK who always has some interesting advanced pieces to share with us

And PW Frank sharing a composition he wrote, 'FOR KATHY', along with the story of how they met as pre teens and re-met recently to fall in love this time! Gorgeous FB!

(FB playing)

(Kathy listening)

_________________________
"Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and life to everything."

We then walked through the grove of trees to Helga and John's home and into their world of the MH BB. Work was done on their piano since I was last there 3 yrs ago and magnificence is what I heard!

Edison would have been a joyful welcome to this party.

Here is the TT pic that KK missed!

Host John enjoyed recording his piano. Next time John, we had better HEAR you playing as well!

(Some Helga pics later)

Ragtime Sue showed us her versitility with a 24 minute medley of the Beatles tunes. WOW! Sue, WOW! WOW! WOW! This brought the house down!

And a little lighter version of some of the attendees.

Some PW members stopped by for just a quick hello and tickle of the ivories. Please remind us of her name. She played some beautiful Spanish music and brought along her niece who if I am correct is a clarinetist whom we must get to play next time!

And for those of us who lingered a bit, we got to hear PW Kathy play!

_________________________
"Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and life to everything."

The PP started at noon. By twilight we walked over to Roberta and Ed's home and the main feast. Oh, and there was that gorgeous MH A to play and yes, more players doing their tickling!

I was so pleased this time to hear Eric Gloo played. I had missed hearing him 3 years ago and was very impressed with his playing - several times this weekend. Smooth, like his father Jerry. And Beautiful Music which I had not heard before as well.

The highlight for me(as well as other wonderful playing) was when 'the hostess ladies' teacher showed up and we talk them into playing!

Here is Beckett with 'his students'

(Helga, Marilyn, Becket, Linda, Roberta)

Roberta was the first brave one! ("Wait a minute, just wait!!!" she would say, as she searched for that hard chord to wrap her fingers around)

You are doing just great Roberta!

Linda Gloo had her excuses this year - a shoulder operation, but...we have heard her doing very well one year ago at KathyK's party in Maine one year ago!

Marilyn and Becket duet

And Helga with Beckett, 3 hands on one piano!!!

Beckett, it was obvious that you are a treasure and well loved! I hope you join us here in the TEACHER'S FORUM on PW.

Beckett by the way is a great classical, improve teacher and church organist.

Not only did PW hv do some recordings which he promised to share with us, he is also a photographer. Here, under Roberta's piano

The food was unbelievable... I'll just sharing one pic to also show the gorgeous pottery serving pieces used.

Cont - due to pic limitations

_________________________
"Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and life to everything."

Sunday Morning Brunch at 10 at the Howes and their new gorgeous August Forster. It sits in the foyer as one enters their home.

(this was the only time it was minus a player!)

Hostess Kathy enjoying hearing her piano (and I am sorry that I did not get a pic of husband host Tom as the pic I had of him making scrambled eggs came out blurry)

Brunch was over the top wonderful. This is just an example of offerings - sauteed apples (double sauteed in brandy?)

And players we indeed had! As well as those that shared their talents on Sat (and Fri nite) we had "New Ones"!

(please help me out with her name - she played beautifully!)

KK shared a few more

Sue shared a few more

And one of my favorite pics of Sue letting her hair down, telling us about how she won several 'Jeopardy' contests!

Jerry shared a few more

And then....

another 'piece de resistance' and delightful lady came - Jacqueline Schwab of Ken Burn's PBS specials.... and her famous improv on the Civil War documentary was played...and this after a few other countra dance/country dance pieces were shared. What a talent! I hope she joins PW!

All in all...

THIS WAS A 'WOW' WEEKEND!

_________________________
"Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and life to everything."

And novelinda!!! What is with the sling!!! One reason I didn't come is that I have a matching one! (torn rotator cuff surgery 3 weeks ago) What is your story!? I hope you are on the mend! Love to you and the big guy!

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BeeLady

Life is like a roll of toilet paper...the closer you get to the end, the faster it goes!

Incredible time from when we arrived to when we left.Tired from traveling, will post pictures and stuff some time tomorrow.

I don't know how they do it, but somehow the Cape parties get better each year.

A special thanks to all our hosts and hostesses, a shout out to our two new celebrity members, and my apologies to Terry and Steve for forgetting to mention their anniversary while I was making announcements.

P.S.Sorry you missed it BeeLady, it was a wonderful weekend. Hope you're feeling better. Novelinda had her shoulder replaced, she's now bionic.

Bee Lady, we all missed you. I had my total shoulder replacement 4 weeks ago tomorrow in Boston. No pain. Venus is the name I gave my prothesis. I miss playing the piano but hope to get back to it in Nov. Hope you are doing well.

Frank and Kathy, glad you are home safely and we understand the exhaustion. I think part of it was the emotionalism of the incredible piano we heard for 15 hours and of course you had Fri. night as well.

Looking forward to some of the video/audio tapes. I tried to do some on my little digital as I saw others doing it, but alas, it only took video with no audio present. Well, darn, what good was that at a piano party, huh? ;-)

***I would like to email Marilyn as she asked me to send some info to her about imslp and other downloading music sites.

Would someone please send me her email or ask her to PM me through PW Private Mail Contact so that we can communicate?

Thanks!

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"Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and life to everything."

The pictures of the hosts "sez" it all........thank you SO much Kathy and Tom Howes,Helga and John Williams,Marilyn and Keith Harrison, Roberta Lang and Ed Bonacci. Such wonderful folks to say the least!

A SPECIAL THANKS to Larry Buck for the excellent work done on Roberta Langs Mason&Hamlin and Kathy and Tom Howes August Forster. Thanks also to Jon Page for the fine work done on the Williams Mason&Hamlin. Larry and Jon donated their time....."Aint" we lucky??!!

What can I say about Frank Baxter WM and Terry Neff the chief organizer. Without them we would not be meeting these wonderful folks and listening in awe to fantastic music. Thanks so much for starting this all!!!!!!

What a treat this year to have two special musicians. Sue Keller....you blew us away with your performances...Scott Joplin would be proud!!Jacqueline Schwab....just beautiful....hard to keep the tears away during your emotional performance of Ashokan Farewell!! Very special to have both of you and yours living on the Cape.